Originally published February 19, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Updated February 19, 2018 at 5:06 pm

Washington Senate Democrats want to use the state’s higher tax revenues to satisfy both the state Supreme Court’s K-12 school-funding order and provide some relief to homeowners facing a boost in property taxes.

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OLYMPIA — Washington Senate Democrats want to use soaring tax revenues to address both the state Supreme Court’s K-12 school-funding order and the added burden on homeowners facing higher property-tax bills to fund schools.

Senate Democrats on Monday released a supplemental operating-budget proposal that adds approximately $970 million for school-worker salaries and is intended to satisfy the court’s McCleary decision.

Since 2014, the court has held the state in contempt for failing to move fast enough to satisfy the McCleary order and fully fund Washington’s public schools.

“This budget would get us out of contempt,” said Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island and chief Senate Democratic budget writer.

Lawmakers last year approved a K-12 education funding plan that hiked state property taxes by about 80 cents per $1,000 in assessed valuation for every homeowner in 2018.

The plan then lowered and capped property taxes collected by the state’s 295 school districts. While many homeowners are expected to see an eventual overall tax decrease, many in the Puget Sound region will face higher overall property-tax bills.